Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Aftershocks Threaten Effort to Rescue Girl Found Alive in Mexico Quake Rubble

by VOA News

   Rescue teams in central Mexico continued to work Thursday to reach
   those still trapped inside the dozens of buildings that fell during a
   massive earthquake Tuesday that killed more than 230 people.

   One search in Mexico City took place at a school where workers spotted
   a girl Wednesday buried in debris and were able to confirm she was
   still alive by asking her to move her hand.

   That rescue effort took on a heightened sense of urgency Thursday as
   the threat of aftershocks increased the possibility the unstable
   three-story structure could collapse. Rescuers took extra precautions
   and meticulously worked to avoid shifting the unstable pile of rubble
   surrounding the girl.

   "The girl told us her name, Frida," rescue worker Rodolfo Ruvalcava
   told FORO TV. "Apart from just her name, she told us there were two
   other kids, and that there were other bodies. We don't know if the
   others are alive."

   5,000 schools damaged

   Since the 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck, workers at the school have
   found 26 people dead there, including 21 children. The school was one
   of more than 5,000 schools damaged by the earthquake, according to
   Mexico's education secretary.

   President Enrique Pena Nieto said at least 50 people had been pulled
   alive from buildings in Mexico City. He declared three days of mourning
   for those who had died and expressed the country's condolences to their
   families and friends.

   He also praised Mexicans' rapid response to the disaster, while
   stressing the priorities remained saving lives and getting medical
   attention to those in need.

   "I need to recognize the volunteers who are unconditionally helping
   those who need it," Pena Nieto said.

   "Once again, Mexicans have demonstrated that the strength of solidarity
   is much greater," the president's office posted in a tweet that
   included a video showing thousands of people involved in relief
   efforts.

   Help from abroad

   In addition to the local response in Mexico City and the states of
   Morelos, Puebla, Mexico, Guerrero and Oaxaca, help was coming from
   other nations.

   The U.S. Agency for International Development on Thursday sent more
   than 60 disaster responders and tools and medical equipment to Mexico
   City.

   "They'll be working closely with Mexican disaster authorities to help
   rescue earthquake survivors and assess structures for earthquake
   damage," said USAID Administrator Mark Green.

   A 32-member search-and-rescue team from Panama arrived with two dogs
   Wednesday.

   The Israeli military said it would send 70 people to help with rescue
   efforts by providing engineering assistance.

   Pena Nieto said his government had also accepted the technical and
   specialized help offered by Spain, Japan and other Latin American
   countries that have experienced similar disasters.

   Mexico City's international airport sustained some structural damage,
   but Pena Nieto said the airport had returned to normal operations.

   Loss of communications

   Canadian travel blogger Mike Corey was in Mexico City when the
   earthquake hit. The scariest part of the ordeal, he said, was the loss
   of cell reception, "which is not good if you're trapped underneath
   things."

   "I guarantee that cost lives, because someone's there, they can't
   contact anybody and they're trapped under rubble," he said.

   Pope Francis acknowledged earthquake victims during an open prayer
   Wednesday in St. Peter's Square, saying he wanted to "express my
   closeness and prayer to the dear Mexican people."

   IN PHOTOS: Crews in Mexico City Search for Quake Victims

   The quake hit less than two weeks after another earthquake killed more
   than 90 people in the country's south. The U.S. Geological Survey said
   the two quakes appeared to be unrelated.

   The earthquake struck exactly 32 years after an 8.0 temblor killed
   nearly 10,000 people in and around Mexico City.

   VOA's Victor Beattie, Steve Miller and Celia Mendoza contributed to
   this report.